Welcome to the West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory. We provide comprehensive genetic testing services (many of which are UKAS ISO 15189:2012 accredited) to NHS patients within the West Midlands region; to private consultants and hospitals and to other healthcare institutions both nationally and internationally.
With more than 200 scientific, technical and support staff, the laboratory is directed by Professor Michael Griffiths, Consultant Clinical Scientist. Genetics in medicine is a rapidly expanding field with translation of information and techniques from cutting edge research into robust clinical tests. We employ the most up to date technologies and equipment available to bring accurate answers and continually improving reporting times.
We work closely with the Clinical Genetics counselling service at Birmingham Women’s Hospital to ensure that patients receive suitable advice both before testing is offered and after a result has been found.
The laboratory is organised to align services with patient pathways; with two over-arching clinical programmes both of which provide integrated cytogenetic and molecular genetics services:
- Germline Genetics Programme
- Cancer Genetics Programme
The laboratory performs a comprehensive range of genetic tests ranging from single gene disorders to whole chromosome aneuploidy. This integrated approach allows the most appropriate tests to be applied to each clinical application. Our Germline Genetics Programme testing services include prenatal testing for at risk pregnancies, postnatal testing for conditions such as developmental delay and infertility, and specific testing for a variety of syndromes and single gene disorders. Our Cancer Genetics Programme testing services include blood and tumour cancer diagnosis and prognostic stratification, monitoring of treatment response and surveillance, and post-transplant chimaerism monitoring.
We follow rigorous standards which are externally audited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). We are also members of external quality assurance schemes run by UKNEQAS (http://www.ukneqas.org.uk) and the European Quality Assurance Network (http://www.emqn.org) which monitor our analytical and interpretative performance and ensure that our patients get the highest possible level of care.
For further information on any of the services provided please e-mail [email protected] and your enquiry will be handled by the most appropriate person.
